What an exciting adventure! I've been looking forward
to hosting this contest for several weeks. And now that the novel Curse of the Beastby Ashley Lavering is published,
I can breathe easier for a while and focus more on hosting Mystic
Manuscripts’ first writing contest.

Do you want to see your work in print? Unsure if your work is up to par? Have you been published before and want the
chance to show off your skills? Send
your submissions to the Mystic Manuscripts Spring Writing Contest! For submitting, each story will receive a FREE
personalized review with suggestions to strengthen their submission and head
them toward publication.

Please submit your best work of up to 800 words. This could be a fiction piece for children, a
nonfiction piece for an adult science magazine, poetry, or a myriad of other
options. Please, no partial submissions (for example: the first 3 pages of a
novel chapter, part of a screen play, etc).
Submissions must have a clear beginning, middle, and end. [a1]

Rules for Submissions:

There is no fee to enter.

No more than 800 words
for the submission itself. Please only black and neutral font (like Arial
black). Word count does not include
the author's name and contact info. Please don't disqualify yourself for failing
to follow these simple guidelines!)

All entries must be
received by 11:59 p.m. PST May 20th. I will begin evaluating
submissions as they come, so don't wait until the deadline to submit.

No previously published work, please. (Published means
you were paid for your work and/or it has been printed in ink or in an
online magazine).

For fiction selections, I am looking for strong
characterization, plot, setting, tension, and interesting dialogue. For
nonfiction, I am looking for clarity of thought, unique information on your
chosen subject, sensory detail, and quick pacing. Punctuation, spelling, and grammar are also
important. Please proofread! I
will evaluate each story on a scale from 1 to 10 and will make notes as I read
each submission (which will be included in your review).

The submission needs to
be included inside the body of the e-mail, NOT as an
attachment.

Authors retain ALL
publishing rights.

Questions? Please
ask BEFORE you submit. Once an entry is received, it cannot be resubmitted.

Winners:

There will be one grand
prize winner, runner-up, and third place winner.

Winners will be notified
by June 5th, 2012 by e-mail. Winners will also be posted on this
website and on Facebook. A short synopsis
of each winning entry will be posted in each location as well.

Second and third place
winners
will receive a Gold Package Review of their submission worth
$25 plus two stamps for the discount program.

Grand Prize winner will receive a Platinum Package Review worth
$38 plus two stamps for the
discount program! They will also receive their choice of either a 2nd review of their submission after cleaning
up the first draft ora personal phone/e-mail consultation to propel them toward publishers,
writing a query letter, and preparing for magazine submission. Happy
writing!